Lug-formed cap



C. HAMMER LUG FORMED CAP Filed Nov. 18, 1926 m m m u 3 Patented Nov. 1,1927.

UNITED STATES, PATENT oFeicsi CHARLES HAMMER, 0F HOLLIS COURT BOULEVARD,NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERI- CAN METAL CAP COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEWYORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LOG-FORMED CAP.

This invention relates to metal caps or closures and to the method ofmaking the same and particularly to that style of cap commonlydesignated in the trade as lug caps for use on glass bottles orcontainers having spaced lugs or multiple or divided threads whereby onrotating or turning the cap it will'be securely locked on the container,the object of the invention being to provide an improved reusable metalcap or closure having a plurality of lug formed projections of improvedconstruction whereby certain disadvantages heretofore present in theseforms of caps are obviated.

The primary object of the present improvement is the provision of arotary metal cap or closure having an improved form of locking orholding lug which will so engage or grip the glass threads of acontainer that the scratching or cutting thereof is obviated, thepresent cap being an improvement upon my Patent No. 1,079,238 ofNovember 18, 1013; and also Patents 1,440,990 dated January 2, 1923, and1,560,569 of November 10, 1925. In all of these patents the lugs arepressed inwardly from the bead or rolled edge in such manner that theydo not conform to the contour of the container and have the inner facethereof straightand more or less sharp with the result that the centeronly of this straight edge of the lug rubbed against the glass containerimmediately under the threads acting very similar to a glass cutterscratching and marking the container thread so that the thread orportions thereof at times broke ofl, and sometimes these particles'ofglass would get into the contents of the container making it impossibleto use it. For some reason these objectionable features occurred mostfrequently in those caps having only a pair of lugs instead of four.

The object of the present invention therefore is the provision of a capor closure member having a construction of lug which is. an improvementupon the lugs of the patents referred to in that while having all theadvantages of the lugs of those patents is superior thereto in that itobviates the disadvantages of those lugs. The caps of Patent 1,079,238for instance have proved a great commercial success, more than a billionthereof having been sold, yet like everything of real merit they arecapable of improvement and long experience with those caps hasdemonstrated that there are certam disadvantages which it has heretoforevbeen impossible to overcome. One ofthese 18 that owing to theconstruction of the lugs or projections in which the center of thestraight edge of the lug engages the glass thread, the caps would attimes shake off and at other times would scratch or mark the glassthread to such an extent as to cause the same to break off. Therefore,it is the ing efficiency without any liabilit e scratching or markingthe glass thread and which at the same time will take up greatervariations in the glass jar threads which as is well-known var? duringtheir manufacture by reason 0 the fact that they are made of glass sothat it is not infrequently the case that glass jars supposed to be ofthe same size vary approximately a millimeter.

By reason of the present improvement also the lugs can be made ofsomewhat greater length than were the lugs made in accordance with saidPatent No. 1,079,238 and are well adapted for use on a two-lug cap.

A primary object of the present invention is therefore the provision ofa metal cap having at its lower 'edge a combined bead or curled edge anda closed or multi-walled lug of the improved form herein describedformed from such head or curled edge, the construction of the lug beingsuch that it tainer but will avoid the scratching or cute ting thereofand the consequent breaking off of the thread.

In 111 said Patent No. 1,560,569, it was attempte to avoid thisscratching and marking of the glass threads by tapering and increasingthe length of the lugs and while this to a certain extent avoided thisdifiiculty it did not entirely eliminate it and therefore I have mademany experiments in an attempt to completely eliminate this difficulty,which is serious to the packer. I finally discovered that owing to thestraight sharp edge of the lugs engaging under the glassthreadpractically in the center only of those lugs, the cap as it isturned on caused the lugs to come into en agementsuddenly on a small.part only of ,t e brittle glass thread and scratched and weakened it sothat in the handling of the container thereafter and in the reuse of thecap portions of the glass thread would break off especially when theglass threads are unusually brittle as 15 sometimes the case and thecaps are quickly turned on.

In view of the fact that millions of glass containers are ca ped andhandled per day usuall by machinery and that frequently some ave thethreads much more brittle than others it will be realized that anyimprovement that will avoid cutting or scratching ofthe glass thread andthe consequent breaking oif thereof is an important one. I

In the drawings accompanyin and formillilg a part of this specification,ig. is an e arged perspective view illustrating a small size two lugmetal cap of this mproved construction; Fig. 2 is an inside view of theca Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged view of a portion of the cap illustratingone of the improved lugs; Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views takenrespectively on lines H, 5-5 of Fig.2; Fig. 6 is a view of this improvedcap applied to a glass container; Fig. 7 illustrates a portion of theroll which may be used for forming the lugs on the bead or rolled edgeof the ca and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view 0 one of these improvedlugs.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral views.

Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode ofoperation thereof, I desire to have it understood that the invention isnot limited to the details of construction and arrangement of partswhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the inventionis capable of other embodiments, and that the phraseoloqy which I employis for the purposeof escription and not of limitation.

This improved cap when of a small size is provided with a pair ofdiametrically opposite lugs but the cap may have any desired number oflugs according to the size thereof, the larger sizes of caps usuallyhaving four lugs. In the metal cap as shown it comrises a top 2 having adepressed groove 3 or contact with a suitable liner 4 for sealing thetop of the container. This top constructed in any suitable way isprovided with a de ending flange or skirt 5 shown of corrugated form,the corrugations 6 not only forming a means for gripping the cap in thehandling thereof but acting as a reinforcing means to stiffen both theflange and the lug. They also rovide an eflicient means for the properormation of the cap on the formir: rolls, The edge of the skirt isstrengthened. as by beading, rolling or curlin it, as shown outwardlyand upwardly to; orm a reinforced bead or curled edge 7 and this beadnot only gives a pleasing appearance to the cap but it preventscuttingof the hands of the user and also provides a sanitary ca in that the rawedge is sealed and protecte against corrosion and acids and the actionof the elements. It is also particularly useful in strengthening theflange and the lug itself while providing means for forming the lugstherefrom at the lower edge of the skirt whereby they have increasedstrength and holding efficiency.

At a plurality of places shown as two in the form pf cap shown thisreinforced bead or curled edge is pressed or insetinwardly toward thecenter of the cap to form inwardly extending lugs 8 which on their inneredges are curved or concaved lengthwise thereof as at 9 orcircumferentially between the ends of these lugs to substantiallyconform to the curvature of the glass container and to the generalcurvature of the bead, the length of the curve however being less thanthat of the bead but sufiicient considering the short length of the lugsto conform to the general curvature of the glass container. Thisinwardly pressing andcurvature of the lug is obtained by insetting orpressing the bead radially inward without materially deforming it whileexerting a greater pressure at the-opposite ends of the ug as at 10 and11 and at the same time somewhat flattening these ends of the lug withthe result that the lug is tubular in cross section at its center whichtubular formation also extends toward the ends so that the under side orthread engaging face of the lug as 12 is of round or curved or beveledformation while the lug is also iii-5 curved lengthwise thereof alongits inner edge forming an are less than that formed by the lllflJOl'part of the beaded edge since the curved inner edge of the lug is insideof and therefore substantially concentric with the curved inner edge ofthe bead. In other words the bead of the cap has an inside diametersufiiciently large to permit it to pass over the threads or lugs onglass containers, while the diameter of the curved faces of the lugsisless, but suflicient to pernut it to pass over the neck or mouth ofthe container, the outside diameter of which usually coincides with thatat the inner or base of the threads or lugs of the container.

In the manufacture of these caps a flanged hat-shaped blank is firstformed and the flange of thisblank isthen by suitable pressure curled orbeaded. In practice this curling or beading is usually done on the sameis the case the flanged hat-shaped blank is lid suitably supported on achuck head and this head is provided with a plurality of recessescorresponding in number to the number of lugs the cap is to have and itis into these and the punches or tools which cooperate with thisrecessed chuck may also be made tapered or inclined transverselythereof. Consequently when the bead of the cap is pressed radiallyinward by the punches hereinafter described and which punches have ac-oncaved end, it follows that greater pressure is exerted atthe spacedpoints or ends of the lugs than intermediate such ends and as the metalof which the lugs are thus formed is forced radially inward into therecesses of the chuck, it is also forced transversely of this inwardmovement so that when the chuck recess is provided with the inclined ortapered side wall herein before referred to, it follows that the underor thread engaging face of the lug in the direction of its length isprovided with an inclined or tapered face 13, so that it substantiallyconforms to the inclination of the glass threads or lugs. ,Thus the lugswill engage under the glass tlr wads throughout their entire lengthswith their concaved inner faces conforming to the curvature of the glasscontainer. The curved formation of the lugs crosswise thereof alsoassists in preventing any cutting or scratching the glass thread.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the lug is formed bypressure exerted upon the head of the skirt sufiicient to press thishead inwardly the desired extent without however materially deformingthe lug between its ends or that part of the bead at either side of thelug. In other words, a part of the head: is inset from the rest of thebead, but in such manner that the inner face of the inset part is are orcrescent shaped instead of straight while the lug retains its tubularformation so that it is also of curved formation crosswise thereof.pressure upon the lugs is radially inward and also to a certain extentvertically or transverse of this radial inward pressure, that is, towardthe top of the cap, this being more particularly so at the ends of thecrescent or arc-shaped lugs and as this pressure is greater at the endsof the crescent, it follows that a crescent shaped or concaved formationof closed or multi-walled lug is obtained, the major portion of which,however, is preferably tubular, and owing to the vertical or transversepressure, it follows that when the chuck recess has an inclined or Thetapered side wall, the under or thread tengaging face of this tubularlug' is likewise inclined or'tapered in the direction .of its length toconform to theincline or taper of I the glass thread and consequently anim- 7 proved form of locking lug is obtained,tubular'in cross sectionand curved in the direc-"' tion of its length and also curved in crosssection with a tapering thread engag ng face in the direction of itslength. I

I believe that I am the first m provide 'a'metalcap or closure having a"combined curled or beadedlower edge and a lug of the form shown anddescribed herein whereby the lug 1s of curved or-concave formationbetween its ends and is also tubular between its ends whereby it willfirmly hold on-th'ef container and at the'same time eliminate thescratching and marking of the glass threads. By having the lug oftubular formation the lug is not only strengthened, this beingmaterially assisted by the corrugations 6' above the lug which may runfrom adjacent to the top of the lug-toward'the top'off the cap but thecap can be made "of relathat this improved lug engages the glass threadspractically throughout the entire length of the tapered face of the lugwhile conforming to tie 'general curvature of the glass container underthe thread'and that it has no sharp straight cutting edge for engagementwith the 'glass container so that there is no liability of the threadbeing cut or marked and that further owing to;the tubular formation ofthe lug it has a certain resilientor spring action so that when turnedon to the thread of the container it will compensate for anyinequalities-or variations-at the under side of the thread, in otherwords, it can be applied with a cushioning effect.

The cap turns on very. easily and with a gradual gripping effect withoutany cutting or marking of the glass container or thread and although itcan be turned off easily yet it grips the thread effectively so that thecap will not jar off in the ordinary handling of so T the containerwhile the cap is firmly drawn in order to give it an arc-shaped form,but a it is highly desirable that it have this tapered face where thelug is to grip the glass thread throughout the entire length of the lug.The tubular form is preferable, although the multi walls of the lug maybe more or less compressed and somewhat flattened if preferred. Ashereinbefore stated, in the formation of. this improved cap, a hatshaped blank is first formed having an outwardly turned flange ofsuitable width and this flange is by suitable tools or punchesgradually, as step by step, bent or curled to form a coil or bead. Inpractice this is usually done in the same machine which is utilized toform the lugs and when this is the case the cap is supported on arecessed chuck .having recesses corresponding in number to the number oflugs the cap is to have. The

flange is then by suitable forming tools curled or headed and thiscurled or beaded edge is at intervals subjected tosuitable punches ortools, a form of which is shown at 20, Fig. 7, in which the end of thepunch is concaved or crescent shaped so that the .Spaced points of thispunch will press the metal farther inward than it is pressed interwall,it follows that this radial inward pressure forces the metal verticallyinto this recess since it must, owing to the deformed ends of the lugs,flow in this direction and therefore the under faces of the lugs areinclined or, tapered conforming to the inclination or taper of the sidewall of the chuck recesses.

It is to he understood that by describing in detail herein anyparticular form, structure or arrangement, it is not intended to limitthe invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirementsof the prior art.

Having thus explainedthe nature of my said invention and described a wayof constructing and using'the same, although without attempting to setforth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the modes ofits use, I claim:

1. A metal closure for glass containers comprising a top having adepending skirt provided with a closed lug having a concaved inner face.

2. A metal closure for containers comprising a top having :1 dependingskirt provided with a tubular lug having a concaved inner face.

3. A metal closure for containers comprising a top having a dependingskirt provided with a tubular lug having a concaved inner face, said lugbeing tapered in the direction of its length on its under face.

4. A metal closure for glass containers comprising a top having adepending skirt provided with a beaded or curled lower edge hav ngthereon at intervals a plurality of tubular formed lugs having concavedinner faces in the direction of their length.

A metal closure for glass containers comprising a top having a dependingskirt provided with a beaded or curled lower edge having thereon atintervals a plurality of tubular formed lugs concaved at their innerfaces in the direction of their length, each of said lugs having atapered under face.

6. A metal closure for glass containers comprising a top having :1depending skirt provdcd with a beaded or curled lower edge having atintervals lugs of tubular formation combined with the bead, said lugsbeing concaved in the direction of their lengths on the'r inner facesand curved or beveled crosswise thereof on their under faces.

7. A metal closure for glass containers coniprsing a top having adepending skirt provided with a beaded or curled lower edge having atintervals lugs of tubular formation combined with the head, said lugsbeing concaved in the direction of their lengths on their inner facesand curved or beveled crosswise thereof on their under faces, each ofsaid lugs also having .an inclined or tapered formation on its underface in the direction of its length.

8. A metal cap having a depending skirt provided with a strengthenedcurled or headed lower edge having formed therewith inwardly extendinglocking lugs each having a curved inner face conforming substantiallyvto the general curvature of the conta'ner.

9. A metal cap having a depending skirt provided with a strengthened,curled or beaded lower edge having combined therewith inwardly extendingtubular locking lugs inset from the bead and each comprising a pair ofdepressed portions spaced apart by a curved or are shaped tubularport'on having its inner edge conformingsubstantially to the generalcurvature of the container.

10. A metal cap having a depending skirt provided with a strengthened,curled or beaded lower edge having combined therewith inwardly eXtendingtubular locking lugs inset from the bead and each comprising a pair ofdepressed portions spaced apart by a curved or are shaped tubularportion having its inner edge conforming substantially to the generalcurvature of the container, and each of said lugs being tapered in thedirection of its length on its under side.

11. A rotatable metal cap for glass conan!" an tainers comprising a tophaving a depending skirt provided with a beaded or curled lower edge,said edge being inset at intervals to form a plurality of closed areshaped lugs, each having a concaved inner face portions.

13, A rotatable metal cap for glass containers comprising a top having adepending skirt provided with a beaded or curled lower edge, said edgebeing inset at intervals to form a plurality of closed are shaped lugseach having a concaved inner face forming an are less than the arc ofthe major portion of the bead, each of said lugs erminating at its endsin a pair of deformed portions, and having a tapered under face.

14. The 'method of making lug formed caps which consists in firstforming a flanged hat shaped blank and then pressing the flange of suchblank radially inward to form a coiled, beaded or curled lower edge andtherefrom a plurality of inwardly extending tubular lugs inset from thebead and each having a concaved inner face, the arc of which is lessthan that of the major portion of the head.

15. The method of making lug formed caps which consists in first forminga flanged hat shaped blank and then pressing the flange of such blankradially inward to form a coiled, beaded or curled lower edge andtherefrom a plurality of inwardly extending tubular lugs inset from thebead with deformed, ends and each having a concaved inner face, the areof which is less than that of the major portion of the bead, and atapered under face.

16. A cap having a combined beaded edge and lug, said lug comprising aninwardly extending closed projection having a concaved inner facesubstantially conforming to the convex outer face of a container-neck.

17 A cap having a combined beaded edge and lug, said lug comprising aninwardly extending closed projection having a concaved inner facesubstantially conforming to the convex outer face of a container neck,said lugs being inset relatively to the bead with the concaved innerface substantially concentric with that of the bead.

18.- A cap having a coml-lned beaded ed e and lug, said lug comprisingan inward y extending tubular projection having a con caved inner facesubstantially conforming to the convex outer face of a container neck.

19. A cap having a combined beaded edge and lugs located at intervalstherearound, said beaded edge having a diameter at least as great asthat of the outer faces of the container threads or lugs and said lugseach having a concaved inner face, the diameter of said concaved facesbeing less than that of the bead whereby said concaved inner Lf)ac (e1sare substantially concentric with the ca 20. A closure member having adepending skirt provided with a bead, said bead having at intervalslocking lugs or projections, each having a con'caveinner face ofsubstantially crescent shaped form conforming substantially to theconvex outer face of a container neck below the thread or neck of suchcontainer.

21. A closure member having a depending skirt provided with astrengthened portion or bead and reinforcing means or corrugations, saidhead having at intervals locking lugs or projections, etch having aconcave inner face of substantially crescent shaped form conformingsubstantially to the convex outer face of a container neck below thethread or neck of such container.

Signed at 1822 Park Row Buildin New York city, N. Y., this 17th day ofovember, 1926.

CHARLES HAM ER.

